Matter of Burr

Full title: In the Matter of the Application for the Revocation of Letters…

Court: Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Third Department

Date published: Dec 7, 1906

116 App. Div. 518 (N.Y. App. Div. 1906)

101 N.Y.S. 776

Opinion

December 7, 1906.

S.C. Millard, for the appellant Burr, as executor.

Taylor L. Arms, for appellant Isabel D. Burr.

Isaac Weill, for the respondent.

Present — PARKER, P.J., SMITH, CHESTER, COCHRANE and KELLOGG, JJ.

PER CURIAM:

The surrogate has found that the executor was indebted to the estate in a large amount, evidenced by his note for $10,984, dated November 9, 1899, payable on demand, which he did not include in the inventory, and that such omission was misconduct on his part. This finding is based upon an admission of the executor contained in an entry in an account book in evidence kept by him. Counsel for the executor urges that no such claim was made in the petition for the removal of the executor or litigated on the trial, and that the first knowledge he or the executor had that any such question was involved was when the findings were made on the settlement of the case, over eight months after the decree of removal was entered and many months after the appeal therefrom had been perfected. It is also claimed that the note referred to was paid by the executor and the amount thereof included in the inventory as a portion of the balance stated to be in the bank and that he can produce vouchers and proofs showing these facts.

Section 2586 of the Code of Civil Procedure provides that "where an appeal is taken upon the facts the appellate court has the same power to decide questions of fact, which the surrogate had; and it may in its discretion, receive further testimony or documentary evidence, and appoint a referee."

The appeal here is upon the facts as well as upon the law.

In view of the gravity of the charge and the claim of the executor of its falsity we think he should be afforded an opportunity to make the proofs which it is said he possesses in relation thereto.

We, therefore, direct that it be referred to Lynn J. Arnold, counselor at law of Cooperstown, N.Y., to take testimony and report to this court, with his opinion, whether the note referred to was paid by the executor and the amount thereof included in the inventory of the estate. Until the coming in of his report we withhold decision of any question involved on the appeal.

PER CURIAM:

Order of reference directed to Lynn J. Arnold, counselor at law of Cooperstown, N.Y., upon the question specified in per curiam opinion.